Holiday Cottages Somerset

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By selecting one of our holiday cottages Somerset and its many attractions can be discovered. No doubt you will want to get out and about to experience at least some of the county's best places to visit and activities to try during your stay. So here's my Top 10 of some of the best things to do whilst on holiday in Somerset.
... Read More »1 Ride the West Somerset lineThis heritage railway was rescued by volunteers in 1976 after its closure by British Rail five years earlier. Providing a popular link for tourists and day-trippers, it stretches from the Somerset heartland, near Taunton, to the coast at Minehead, passing through some of the county's most beautiful countryside. At more than 22 miles in length, the West Somerset Railway proudly claims to be England's longest heritage line.2 Experience Glastonbury's auraThere's a very special atmosphere in and around Glastonbury which most visitors can't fail to be touched by. Whether it's due to the history and Arthurian legend surrounding this place, invisible Earth forces or, quite simply, the beauty of the scene with the famous Glastonbury Tor rising up out of the Somerset Levels - it's a matter for each individual to decide according to their own beliefs and interpretation. One thing is certain, however; no trip to Somerset is complete without a visit here.3 Relax in fields of lavenderNear the village of Faulkland in East Somerset, the Somerset Lavender Farm welcomes visitors to its tranquil fields. Breathe in the aroma of lavender in bloom to the sound of a thousand buzzing bees while strolling through more than five acres of this beautiful, restorative plant. Open May to September, this farm also cultivates other healing herbs. Discover their unique properties with talks and activities here throughout the summer months. The farm shop and cafe sell a range of lavender products made on-site, home-made cakes and lunches.4 Splash in the spaPeople have been bathing in Bath's warm spa waters since time immemorial and the remains of the city's Roman Spa are among the finest in Britain. Today, the spa is still drawing tourists from all over the world to this delightful corner of Somerset; Bath, with its fine, mellow architecture enjoys World Heritage status and the modern spa is one of its most popular visitor attractions.5 Plumb the depthsThe lovely limestone of the Mendip Hills reveals its hidden secrets at two main locations - Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole. Here, some of the country's finest show caves can be explored while, above ground, there are some lovely walks to be enjoyed in the limestone scenery, with far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside.6 Scale the heightsSomerset's highest point lies at Dunkery Beacon in the Exmoor National Park near the village of Porlock. The woods and moorland around Dunkery Hill are easily accessible on well-signed paths, including a section of the 51-mile Coleridge Way which passes near here. This long-distance footpath was opened in 2005 to commemorate the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who was inspired to write his famous poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner while living in the nearby Quantock Hills.7 Sample some scrumpyThe tradition of growing apples to make cider goes back a long way in South Somerset. Here, orchards were often cultivated to supplement a farming income; today the county can boast more than 25 producers ranging from small artisan growers to big businesses. Many have farm shops where their wares can be sampled, including perry (made from pears) and cider brandy ('Calvados' across the Channel). With cider-drinking growing in popularity, Burrow Hill Cider Farm has its own double-decker Cider Bus which tours local events - including Glastonbury Festival - selling a range of ciders and doubling up as a disco at night; there is even a bottled cider named after it.8 Go for a paddleWhen the sun is beating down from a cloudless sky what better way to while away the hours than spending time on a beach? The UK Good Beach Guide lists the resorts of Minehead (The Strand) and Weston-super-Mare (Uphill Slipway) among its Top Ten Somerset beaches. The number one and two spots are taken by Ladye Bay and Brean Beach.9 Get scooting!A small museum in Weston-super-Mare is dedicated to Lambretta scooters, containing the largest collection anywhere in the world. As well as the machines themselves, the building is packed with Lambretta paraphernalia, a must-see for any fan of this iconic Italian invention, as immortalised in the film Quadrophenia.10 Visit a stately homeThere are plenty to choose from in the Somerset countryside, ranging from dramatic Dunster which towers over the village it once protected, to magnificent Montacute - location for the recent BBC TV serialisation of Wolf Hall. was filmed. Both are now in the care of the National Trust and feature extensive gardens, shops and cafes. Among the top stately homes in the county Somerset Life lists: Dunster, Hestercombe House, Cothay Manor, Barrington Court, Clevedon Court, Tyntesfield and, of course, Montacute built from the honey-coloured local Ham stone.